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"Distrest by a confused Medley of thinking, she threw herself carelesly on a Couch, where amid a Chaos of Reflection, she slept, if, we can properly be said to sleep, (when the Mind fir'd by warring Passions, dreams 'em o'er again) the Chamber Door had but negligently fell too, for the unthinking Amira, unmindful of all things but the dear lov'd Man, had forgot to lock it; when an Accident we shall leave as yet surpriz'd her."

— Boyd, Elizabeth (fl. 1727-1745)

Author

Boyd, Elizabeth (fl. 1727-1745)

Work Title

The Happy-Unfortunate; Or, The Female-Page

Place of Publication

London

Publisher

Printed by Tho. Edlin

Date

1732

Metaphor

"Distrest by a confused Medley of thinking, she threw herself carelesly on a Couch, where amid a Chaos of Reflection, she slept, if, we can properly be said to sleep, (when the Mind fir'd by warring Passions, dreams 'em o'er again) the Chamber Door had but negligently fell too, for the unthinking Amira, unmindful of all things but the dear lov'd Man, had forgot to lock it; when an Accident we shall leave as yet surpriz'd her."

Metaphor in Context

Then her La Motte, that Favourite of her Soul, on all the Racks of Expectation, the Disappointment would distract his Sense; What would he, could he judge from this cool Conduct? And should he by a manly Boldness venture, she dreaded the meant Visit might be fatal. Distrest by a confused Medley of thinking, she threw herself carelesly on a Couch, where amid a Chaos of Reflection, she slept, if, we can properly be said to sleep, (when the Mind fir'd by warring Passions, dreams 'em o'er again) the Chamber Door had but negligently fell too, for the unthinking Amira, unmindful of all things but the dear lov'd Man, had forgot to lock it; when an Accident we shall leave as yet surpriz'd her.
(p. 16)